by Leigh Goessl

Created on: June 29, 2008

You did it, you took the plunge and applied to college. Whether you've just graduated high school or are an adult returning to school after many years, continuing on to higher education is an exciting time. As thrilling as it is, going to college also can bring on a high level of stress, especially on the first day.

Your first hurdles associated with going to college included the admissions processes, registering for classes and paying tuition. Many of these processes are some of the most stressful pieces of starting higher education, and now that the administrative details are out of the way, it's time to learn.

The big day approaches quickly, and the calendar says your first day of embarking upon your educational journey is tomorrow. You begin to think about homework, research papers and readings; you also may feel a bit of angst about the social interaction you'll encounter at college. When imagining your first day, you may suddenly feel your anxiety level skyrocket and you undergo a sense of being overwhelmed.

If you find you feel this way, take comfort in the fact you aren't alone. All students have some level of anxiety on the first day, and it's a normal feeling. Many other students feel the same kinds of nervousness you may be experiencing. There are a few things you can do prior to your first day in order to successfully reduce these stressful feelings and have a more comfortable first day.

EARLY PREPARATION

It's a good idea to try and purchase your notebooks, folders, pens, and other supplies before your first day of classes. If you get yourself a good backpack or tote bag, this will be helpful to carry your things around campus, and will make your life a lot easier because it will alleviate you trying to balance your belongings and getting to class on time.

Sometimes you can purchase text books ahead of time; if your course (or professor) has a specific textbook listed, it can be helpful to buy this ahead of time to save yourself the stress of fighting the book store crowds and paying top dollar. Many textbooks can be purchased online through reliable websites.

Some colleges or professors release their syllabus early, if you are able to acquire this information, you can use it to your advantage. Seeing what your professor has scheduled for the semester allows you the opportunity to get a jump start on assignments. If you're able to read the assignment and are prepared on the first day, you have an edge on the first class. This can significantly reduce stress

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